A police car sits across the street from the 1st Precinct of Nassau County Police Department in Baldwin in this 2013 file photo. Photo Credit: Steve Pfost

Nassau County's $67.8-million police overtime budget works out to about $31,900 each for 2,121 sworn officers ["Crime-fighting, overtime," News, March 19].

Instead of paying so much in overtime, why not hire additional and lower-paid civilians for non-law enforcement tasks? Most desk duties, working in impound yards, giving safety talks at schools -- these could be handled by trained civilians.